As a kickoff event for the 2013 Ionia Free Fair, Thursday's Antique Tractor Pull competition featured a wide array of contestants and rides.

A total of 45 tractors, some nearly 100 years old, snorted, pulled and spun their tires while pulling weights between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds.

Drivers ranged from pre-teen schoolboys to great grandfathers, and competed on the same track against each other while pulling on John Deere, Minneapolis-Moline and Farmall field tractors, all built prior to 1960. Some featured custom paint jobs. Some showed years and years of rust. All, however, still had power to pull.

Cash prizes were awarded in more than 20 categories based on speed (2.5 to 5 mph) and weight.